On Saturday, April 21 at 8 a.m., the Fremont/Newark YMCA celebrates Healthy Kids Day(r), a free community event aimed at helping families with children engage in fun, interactive, and educational opportunities to improve health and well-being. As part of the Y's commitment to strengthening community by addressing critical gaps in health and education, Healthy Kids Day will encourage kids and their caregivers to commit to keeping the body and mind active now and throughout the summer.

A voluntary, inaugural Healthy Kids Day Fun Run/Walk will kick-off the day. The 5K cost is $15 per entry for those who wish to participate. Proceeds from the 5K Fun Run/Walk will benefit youth in our community. Scholarships are available for families with multiple members who wish to participate in the run/walk. The 5K will be around beautiful Lake Elizabeth in Fremont and will conclude with refreshments at the finish line. All racers will receive a race day T-shirt. After the run we encourage all participants to visit the numerous booths providing interactive and engaging activities. In addition, child and youth performers will provide entertainment throughout the day at the Lake Elizabeth Pavilion.

Booths for Healthy Kids Day open promptly following the 5K at 9 a.m. Vice Mayor of Fremont Anu Natarajan will introduce the first activities. The booths will consist of local organizations from around Fremont and Newark with a child-friendly focus. An abundance of information for family resources will be provided from the surrounding Tri-City area. Activities, games, and free give-a-ways will be available at the booths. Those participating at the top of each hour between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. in the 15-minute long fitness activities will automatically be entered in a raffle at the end of the event.

Alameda County District Two Supervisor Nadia Lockyer is supporting the Fremont/Newark YMCA Healthy Kids Day, providing Oakland Athletics tickets for the raffle taking place throughout the day. "Central and Southern Alameda County have high youth obesity rates and getting kids active is vital to addressing this issue. Events like Health Kids Day provide an opportunity for families to be active with their children and promote active and healthy living," said Supervisor Lockyer.

This year, the Fremont/Newark YMCA would like to thank Washington Hospital Healthcare System and Washington Township Medical Foundation for their generous support of Healthy Kids Day.

For more information or to register online for the 5K Walk/Run, call (510) 657-5200 or visitwww.fremontymca.org.